Pubdate: Mon, 27 Feb 2012
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: John de Couto
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n137/a10.html
IT'S TIME TO END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION, READERS SAY
Re: Fighting the war against the war on drugs ... late in the day,
Column, Feb. 16
I agree most times with what Pete Mcmartin states, but this time, I
have to disagree with his stance turning thumbs down on what the four
former attorneys-general said on legalization of marijuana while in office.
The old saying to the effect of holding your peace unless one walks
in the other's shoes applies here, in my opinion.
There is granted some political posturing "after the fact," but we
are talking politics that get in the way of progress, which so often
does and should not come as a surprise.
I do understand when one is in a political position one is very often
constrained by what the particular party you belong to has to say.
The balancing of what the party states and what one individually
feels on any issue is often a tough balancing act.
Regardless, it is now history, and it would be more fruitful to join
the increasing chorus of the more enlightened population urging the
said legalization.
Progress in this area can only come about in due time, and now for
these four being able to speak out with more objectivity and
independence only comes by when one is so disengaged.
We should all keep pushing and giving our support no matter which
quarter this arises to get more sense and sensibility to an issue long overdue.
To be truthful, I know of many in the general population who still
hesitate on the science, and are more conservatively holding out to
prohibition despite the mounting evidence, which to me has already
been well established.
Throwing the stone of "bravery lacking" needs to be paused, for it is
always easier to criticize from the comfort of an easy chair, and not
in the thick of action. As for me, I have been squarely behind the
science that states now that prohibition has been an abysmal failure.
John de Couto
Burnaby
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom